The Ultimate T. Rex as Predator or Scavenger Quiz

Thanks to the sensationalism of blockbuster movies like Jurassic Park, the Tyrannosaurus rex has a nasty reputation as an evil man-eater. But was that really the case? Was the Tyrannosaurus rex a predator or really a scavenger? Take our quiz to learn about the cases for and against.

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Question 1 of 20

What kind of gait did the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) have?

upright

bipedal

The T. rex had a bipedal gait, meaning it walked (or ran) on two feet, had arm-like forelimbs and a mouth full of knife-sharp teeth. All this contributes to its image as a scary monster.

tripedal

Question 2 of 20

Where did the T. rex rank in its ecosystem?

as the largest carnivore

The T. rex always ranked as the largest carnivore in its ecosystem. Its physical characteristics also lend some credence to the idea that it was an aggressive predator.

as the second largest carnivore

as one of the smaller carnivores

Question 3 of 20

What kind of teeth did the T. rex have?

serrated

Not only were the T. rex's teeth dagger-like and enormous, they were serrated, making them ideal to cut through meat.

pointy

smooth

Question 4 of 20

What do scientists estimate was the biting power of a T. rex's jaws?

2,364 pounds to 3,112 pounds (113,200 newtons to 149,000 newtons)

3,822 pounds to 6,788 pounds (183,000 newtons to 325,000 newtons)

Scientists estimate, based on an analysis of skull fossils, that the biting power of a T. rex's jaw is about 3,822 pounds to 6,788 pounds (183,000 newtons to 325,000 newtons).

8,765 pounds to 9,863 pounds (419,670 newtons to 472,200 newtons)

Question 5 of 20

What do long thigh bones in an animal indicate?

that the animal was agile

that the animal was tall

good running endurance

The T. rex had long thigh bones, indicating good running endurance. This means that the T. rex might have run over long distances for long periods of time, implying an ability to prey on other dinosaurs.

Question 6 of 20

What was the purpose of the triceratops's bony frilled neck?

It was a defense mechanism.

The Triceratops's neck would likely have been a defense mechanism to protect them from predators. It could also have been used to attract mates.

It was a beauty feature.

It helped protect them against inclement weather.

Question 7 of 20

Where did the triceratops get its name from?

The pleats on its neck frill.

It's three toed feet.

The three horns on its head.

The triceratops got its name from the three horns atop its head.

Question 8 of 20

When did the idea that the T. rex may have been a scavenger originate?

in the 1600s

in the 1900s

This idea originated in the 1900s. Today, the most famous proponent of the theory is John R. Horner of the Montana State University.

in the 1990s

Question 9 of 20

Which theory is the basis for the theory that T. rex may have been a scavenger?

The theory that birds originated from dinosaurs.

The idea that the T. rex may have been a scavenger is based on the theory that birds originated from dinosaurs. Even the largest birds are scavengers, not predators, so perhaps their ancestors weren't predators either.

The theory that dinosaurs were gentle animals.

The Alvarez theory.

Question 10 of 20

What was the tooth structure of a T. rex's bite?

The upper teeth met the inside of the lower teeth.

The tops of the lower teeth met the tops of the upper teeth.

The lower teeth met the inside of the upper teeth.

When a T. rex closed its jaw, the lower teeth met the insides of the upper teeth. This would have given them upward force from the inside and downward force from the outside, perfect for breaking bones. This indicates they might have eaten by bone picking, as scavengers do.

Question 11 of 20

What would a T. rex's large nasal passages have served for according to the scavenger theory?

They would be able to use their jaws for attacking, while still getting in enough air through their nose.

It would have enabled them to smell carrion from afar.

T.- rex's large nasal passages would have been useful for smelling carrion from far distances. This supports the scavenger theory that they ate what they found, not what they killed.

It would enable them to sense danger using more than just their sense of vision.

Question 12 of 20

What is coprolite?

dinosaur protein strands

dinosaur bone marrow

fossilized dinosaur dung

Coprolite is fossilized dinosaur dung. When scientists examined it, they found traces of bone shards, indicating that T. rex may have eaten by picking over bones, like a scavenger.

Question 13 of 20

What aspects of the T. rex's physical structure would have made running a challenge?

its small feet

its short forelimbs

The T. rex's massive size and short forearms would have meant that it would be unable to break its fall should it trip while running, and so would most likely sustain life-threatening injuries if it fell.

its heavy torso

Question 14 of 20

What do studies suggest was the T. rex's speed while running?

22 mph (10 meters per second)

Studies suggest that the T. rex's speed while running was 22 mph (or 10 meters per second), indicating that it couldn't run very fast. Also, researchers have suggested that their legs would not have been able to support enough muscle for fast running.

44 mph (20 meters per second)

66 mph (30 meters per second)

Question 15 of 20

How much carrion would have been needed for a dinosaur to live on?

one carcass a day

the amount of carrion found in the Serengeti today

Graeme D. Ruxton and David C. Houston of the University of Glasgow estimated that for a dinosaur to have survived on carrion alone, there would need to have been the amount there is today in the Serengeti. They made this calculation by comparing the energy required to find food and the energy food provided them with.

500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) per week

Question 16 of 20

What is further evidence that the T. rex may have been a predator?

weak digestive systems that would not have been able to tolerate decaying meat

lack of other dinosaur fossils in the vicinity of a T. rex fossil, indicating that other dinosaurs avoided them

evidence of bite marks on other dinosaurs

Further evidence comes from evidence of bite marks on other dinosaurs that match the jaws and bite of a T. rex.

Question 17 of 20

What does Kenneth Carpenter, of the Denver Museum of Natural History, say about the T. rex's arms?

They were strong.

Kenneth Carpenter suggested, based on the positioning, shape and size of the shoulder blades and arm bones, that the T. rex's arms may have looked puny, but were actually very strong.

They were puny.

They were a hindrance.

Question 18 of 20

Which animals preys on other animals despite not having arms?

alligators

hyenas

snakes

Snakes do not have arms, but still manage to prey on other animals larger than them. This is used to support the idea that a T. rex's seemingly puny arms need not have stopped it from attacking other dinosaurs.

Question 19 of 20

What else would a T. rex have bitten?

trees

its kin

A T. rex likely used its teeth against its own kin, as evidenced by T. rex teeth marks on the skulls of other T. rexes. The reason for this is unknown; it could have been mating rituals, fights over territory, or some other social behavior.

its eggs

Question 20 of 20

What do many scientists conclude about the T. rex?

It was a scavenger.

It was a predator.

It was an opportunist.

Scientists conclude that the T. rex was most likely an opportunist, eating carrion when it was available and hunting when it was not.